Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.
“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.
Pass rate over time
The SL230's first-time pass rate has fallen 4.3 points since 2006, 87.2% to 82.9%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage SL230 passes first time 91.0% of the time; by 20k that's 77.1%.
First-time pass rate by odometer reading at test, 10,000-mile bands for this model. Mileage is the strongest reliability signal. See the full curve.
What fails on a SL230
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| steering and suspension |
|
20 | 36.4 | 0.8× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
13 | 23.6 | 0.4× |
| brakes |
|
10 | 18.2 | 0.3× |
| drive system |
|
4 | 7.3 | 0.7× |
| Items Not Tested |
|
2 | 3.6 | 3.8× |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
2 | 3.6 | 0.2× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
2 | 3.6 | 0.6× |
| driving controls |
|
1 | 1.8 | 0.7× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
1 | 1.8 | 0.1× |
Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects. "vs all bikes" is how often this model's tests record a defect in the group, as a multiple of the all-bike rate.
How rivals compare
On first-time pass rate the SL230 beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (YAMAHA YP250, YAMAHA WR250F, HONDA XR250).
Rivals share this bike's type and sit within ±30% of its engine capacity, ≥ 5,000 tests. Card colour = better/worse first-time pass rate than the SL230.
Compare with any bike
More HONDA models
Pass rate by registration year
Highest pass rate: 1997 (94.4%). Lowest: 1998 (81.9%). Every SL230 year compared →
First-time pass rate by the year each bike was first registered (cohorts with ≥ 50 tests). Older cohorts are survivors: the worst examples have already left the road, which tends to lift the earliest years.
HONDA SL230 FAQ
Is the HONDA SL230 reliable?
The HONDA SL230 is more reliable than average for its class: 87.3% of its 575 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1818 of 5428 models.
What does a SL230 fail its MOT on most?
steering and suspension: 36% of all defects recorded against failed SL230 tests.
What is the best year of SL230 to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 1997-registered examples do best (94.4%) and 1998 worst (81.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a SL230 last?
The median SL230 shows 13,130 miles at test, and examples around 20k miles still pass 77.1% of the time, so mileage alone rarely decides the result.
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